In the heart of Hackney, a Georgian vicarage stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and personal expression. This house, with its rich history and unique charm, has been the canvas for Kristin Perers, a seasoned designer and stylist, to weave her artistic vision. What makes this space truly captivating is the way Kristin has seamlessly blended her diverse creative influences, resulting in a home that feels like a beautiful fusion of past and present, country and city, and tradition and modernity.
Kristin's journey with this house began with a desire for more permanence, a wish that sparked a year-long renovation process. The inspiration for this transformation came from an unexpected source: a visit to Bennison Fabrics' director, Louise Richards. This encounter ignited a textile-led renovation, starting with the underutilized sitting room that now serves as Kristin's editing suite. Here, she dressed the sash windows with Bennison's 'Daisy' linen, a choice that not only added a touch of elegance but also addressed the practical need to ward off drafts, a must for a Florida transplant like Kristin.
The living room is a testament to Kristin's love for patterned textiles, a nostalgia fueled by her childhood in a bohemian ranch-style home. A large George Smith sofa, draped in a vintage Rio Grande wool rug in soft pinks, is a focal point, complemented by striped bolster cushions featuring the late Geoffrey Bennison's signature square ends. This room is a celebration of texture and color, a reflection of Kristin's diverse creative life.
One of the most intriguing elements of the house is the use of paper plates from The Met museum in New York. Displayed above a Shaker-style cupboard, these plates add a touch of modern art to the traditional setting. Kristin's creativity extends to the fireplace, where she crafted a fan out of folded watercolor paper, an idea inspired by the historic houses of Charleston and Savannah. This not only keeps the room soot-free in summer but also showcases her unique approach to design.
Kristin's love for making and creating is deeply rooted in her mother's influence. Her mother, a trained actor, channeled her creative energies into their home, constructing a doll's house for her daughters. This legacy is evident in the main bedroom, where Kristin added a curved canopy to an Ikea four-poster bed, designed by a local craftsman. The canopy, rendered in Bennison Fabrics' 'Petites Fleurs' linen, is a masterpiece of couture-like tailoring, secured with ribbons that evoke the elegance of corsetry.
The bedroom is a treasure trove of Kristin's most cherished objects. Folk art from her childhood home, a pair of Staffordshire figurines, and framed patchwork art all find a place here. Kristin likens the house itself to a patchwork quilt, a lovingly crafted tapestry of experiences, people, places, and things. This metaphor captures the essence of her design philosophy, where every element tells a story.
Kristin's creative process is fluid and dynamic, often involving painting. She finds inspiration in the natural world, capturing fleeting moments of beauty. This passion for painting is evident in her studio, where she occasionally ascends the nearby ladder to the 16th-century bell tower, an act that evokes memories of childhood tree forts. For Kristin, this house is a storybook setting, a perch from which she can observe and create.
In conclusion, Kristin Perers' Georgian vicarage in Hackney is a testament to the power of personal expression and creativity. It is a space that tells a story, a narrative woven through time and influenced by a rich tapestry of experiences. This house is not just a residence; it is a living, breathing work of art, a reflection of Kristin's unique perspective and her ability to transform a simple house into a magical home.
